Collagen is a prominent target of nonenzymatic glycation, which is a hallmark of aging and causes functional alteration of the matrix. Here, we uncover glycation‐mediated structural and functional changes in the collagen‐enriched meningeal membrane of the human and mouse brain. Using an in vitro culture platform mimicking the meningeal membrane composed of fibrillar collagen, we showed that the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the collagen membrane is responsible for glycation‐mediated matrix remodeling. These changes influence fibroblast‐matrix interactions, inducing cell‐mediated ECM remodeling. The adherence of meningeal fibroblasts to the glycated collagen membrane was mediated by the discoidin domain‐containing receptor 2 (DDR2), whereas integrin‐mediated adhesion was inhibited. A‐kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12)‐positive meningeal fibroblasts in the meningeal membrane of aged mice exhibited substantially increased expression of DDR2 and depletion of integrin beta‐1 (ITGB1). In the glycated collagen membrane, meningeal fibroblasts increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) and less tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP1). In contrast, the cells exhibited decreased expression of type I collagen (COL1A1). These results suggest that glycation modification by meningeal fibroblasts is intimately linked to aging‐related structural and functional alterations in the meningeal membrane.

Current therapies for depression consist primarily of pharmacological agents, including antidepressants, and/or psychiatric counseling, such as psychotherapy. However, light therapy has recently begun to be considered as an effective tool for the treatment of the neuropsychiatric behaviors and symptoms of a variety of brain disorders or diseases, including depression. One methodology employed in light therapy involves flickering photic stimulation within a specific frequency range. The present study investigated whether flickering and flashing photic stimulation with light emitting diodes (LEDs) could improve depression-like behaviors in a corticosterone (CORT)-induced mouse model of depression. Additionally, the effects of the flickering and flashing lights on depressive behavior were compared with those of fluoxetine. Rhythmical flickering photic stimulation at alpha frequencies from 9–11 Hz clearly improved performance on behavioral tasks assessing anxiety, locomotor activity, social interaction, and despair. In contrast, fluoxetine treatment did not strongly improve behavioral performance during the same period compared with flickering photic stimulation. The present findings demonstrated that LED-derived flickering photic stimulation more rapidly improved behavioral outcomes in a CORT-induced mouse model of depression compared with fluoxetine. Thus, the present study suggests that rhythmical photic stimulation at alpha frequencies may aid in the improvement of the quality of life of patients with depression.

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